Survival chances group vs. alone

[Fletcher]

Any group is only as strong as its weakest member

[Stairman]

you will have more belly button lint in a group.

[Alpine_Sapper]

Unfortunately I have been in a "Real" survival situation or two.

You say that like the rest of us haven't...

[Fletcher]

You say that like the rest of us haven't...

No he said that because he has.

[Fletcher]

you will have more belly button lint in a group.

Very true and more dingle berries!!!! That's real man food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[klkak]

You say that like the rest of us haven't...

We are talking about the difference between surviving in a group or alone. If you had read my entire post you would have noticed that I said I was glad there were others with me when we were thrust into a survival situation. Thus my opinion that 2 or more people have a better chance of survival then a lone person.

[fox1]

I have been wrestling with the same question. I am prepared for me and mine but how do you deal with the others that show up needing help? We have a well thought out plan to remain in place if at all possible but how do you turn down family who shows up with nothing and no way of contributing to the supply base? I fear my final answer will land me in hell.

[crashdive123]

I have been wrestling with the same question. I am prepared for me and mine but how do you deal with the others that show up needing help? We have a well thought out plan to remain in place if at all possible but how do you turn down family who shows up with nothing and no way of contributing to the supply base? I fear my final answer will land me in hell.

Are you talking about strangers showing up, or people that you know that did not prepare well enough? If it's the latter, start now with teaching them how and why to prepare. The more of your neighbors and friends that are prepared before an emergency, the less time you will have to spend trying to figure out whom you should trust or not. In my area there are several elderly folks that would need help in some situations. We've started a neighborhood watch program not only to deter crime, but to also get to know each other a little better and share ideas. An example is that a couple of us have prepared window protection (hurricanes) for some of those folks. If it's the former........that's the answer many are searching for.

[Alpine_Sapper]

I have been wrestling with the same question. I am prepared for me and mine but how do you deal with the others that show up needing help? We have a well thought out plan to remain in place if at all possible but how do you turn down family who shows up with nothing and no way of contributing to the supply base?

Plan for extra people. When I was laying back a 3 month supply of food for three family members, I had a 3 month supply for 4 people. At one point, I actually had a 6 month supply for 3 people, so that 3 people could last 3 months and still support any extended family. However, it's really more for redundancy than the off chance that someone would actually be let in. I doubt any of my family would be about travel. Most would hunker down or head for closer relatives.

I fear my final answer will land me in hell.

Not that I care, but aren't the criteria for staying out of hell simply to accept some dude as saviour or something? What does telling someone to get bent, and that they gotta fend for themselves have to do with the afterlife?

*shrug* just my $.02

[Alpine_Sapper]

We are talking about the difference between surviving in a group or alone. If you had read my entire post you would have noticed that I said I was glad there were others with me when we were thrust into a survival situation. Thus my opinion that 2 or more people have a better chance of survival then a lone person.

I did read your entire post. And while I don't agree with you, my point is that life is survival, and we've all been through situations that called for us to rely on our ingenuity and adaptability to survive. Most of the time a "Real" survival situation happens because of the failure to do proper planning, proper packing, or failure to follow proper procedure. Trying to make your advice seem more important by proceeding it with "Unfortunately, I have been through a "Real" survival situation" only serves to make it suspect.

[fox1]

I am talking about family. I know some of them will be prepared but will still need help and then some of them are clueless, and yea we have tryed talking to them. My wife and i were talking about his last night and i know from past experiences, ( Hurricanes ) that her family will show up with no supplys and little ambition to be of help. I can and have turned grown adults away but then theres the kids. I try to have enough extras to help but when it comes down to the long haul i dont think i will be willing to sacrifice my wife and kids to some one elses lack of judgement. Like i said this is my burden that i have been dealing with.

p.s
During Hurricane Rita i was prepared for me and mine plus 2 who i knew was coming to hunker down. Woke up the morning before the wind started blowing and there was 11 more there with nothing to there name and no desire to help. As soon as the wind quite blowing i showed them the door but i knew that they would get help from FEMA. But what to do when FEMA does not exist?

[Sarge47]

Anybody know what ever happened to "Youthpastor"? He posted only the one thread, then hasn't been seen since. No intro or info on his profile page.

[crashdive123]

But what to do when FEMA does not exist?

The best plan IMO is to plan for no outside help. If it happens, call it a bonus.

[Nativedude]

If your lost or stranded with a group of people the biggest thing consider is whether they are doers, followers, or the types to just give up and quit. Once you assess that, you'll have the basis for your survival plan of action.

[napoleon_bonaparte]

I say there is a much better chance survival in a group. The faster the work is done, the more art you can make. You have a team that makes the shelters, while a second group makes fire, a third party gets water, and a fourth party goes on a hunt. Look at the example of Indians. They work with a teammate, because both of you will depand on each other. One always look and defend your back. Look at the example of Robin Crusoe. His buddy, a local was his bestfriend.

[crashdive123]

I say there is a much better chance survival in a group. The faster the work is done, the more art you can make. You have a team that makes the shelters, while a second group makes fire, a third party gets water, and a fourth party goes on a hunt. Look at the example of Indians. They work with a teammate, because both of you will depand on each other. One always look and defend your back. Look at the example of Robin Crusoe. His buddy, a local was his bestfriend.

I don't quite understand the art comment, but maybe I would if you'd head over tothe Introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself. Thanks.

[klkak]

Anybody know what ever happened to "Youthpastor"? He posted only the one thread, then hasn't been seen since. No intro or info on his profile page.

Drive by poster...,

[Ken]

Ah, vendredi...ou la vie sauvage.

Ah, Friday. ..or wild life. I get the Friday - Robinson Crusoe part (although Friday was not capitalized) but what' the connection with wildlife all about?

[Beans]

Wait until you have family in the house with a limited amount of food and a cluesless mom (wife's sister) who keeps trying to raid the pantry because 200 Lb, 14 yrs old Jr is
"Hungry" and whinning. he ate 3 1/2 hours ago just like everyone else.

Verbal disagreement started then Mom and Jr try to get physical trying to get to the stored food.

Two reasonable meals a day isn't apparently enough, when food supply is limited.

A “shut up or get out” solved the problem with the sister-in-law, but caused some discontent with some other family members who then volunteered to give up their food for poor hungry Jr.

When things quieted down and they finally realized the food situation was serious we returned to somewhat normal condition.

BTW: Jr doesn’t have medical problem and he lost 15 lbs while we were flood locked for two weeks, the high water took the bridge out.

[bulrush]

IMO, let the relatives give Jr their food. When they remove themselves from the gene pool, so much the better.

You might want to stock up on locks and hasps, to lock the cupboards from relatives. Locks could mean the difference between surviving and not.